For years clomiphene has been the main medication that fertility doctors and obgyns use to help women with polycystic ovarian syndrome and irregular cycles to get pregnant

That may be starting to change. In fertility practices such as ours, we have switched to a different drug, letrozole, also known by the brand name, Femara.

What is Letrozole?

Letrozole is a medication that blocks an enzyme in the body that converts testosterone into estrogen. It causes the estrogen levels to drop which lead to the pituitary gland to produce more of a hormone called FSH. FSH (follicle stimulating hormone) is the hormone the causes the eggs to start growing. By doing this, letrozole stimulates ovulation The most common use for letrozole is to help women with breast cancer reduce their risk of recurrence.

Why would you want to use letrozole instead of clomid?

Stimulation with letrozole results in fewer eggs than clomiphene, resulting in fewer multiple births. It is also less likely to cause the side effects of hot flashes and mood swings that are common with clomid.

In our practice, as in most fertility and gynecology practices, PCOS is one of the most common disorders that we see. It is the most common hormonal disorder in women of reproductive age and the ovulation problems associated with PCOS are the most common cause for infertility in women. So, as specialists, we are attuned to look for polycystic ovary, and are more likely to find it in its more subtle forms. We are also committed to educate our patients about their condition, what causes it, how it is treated and what other health implications it might have.

It is also very common for us to see women who were never told by their doctor that they might have PCOS, and only came to see us because they cannot conceive. Still others, looked up their symptoms online, realized they had PCOS and referred themselves.

Sometimes seeing a specialist can help.

Most of the time your OBGYN, midwife or even primary care physician can manage the symptoms of PCOS. If your symptoms are under control and have a good understanding of your condition, there is no reason to seek out help. If your symptoms not controlled, you are having trouble getting pregnant or you don't feel you have an adequate understanding of PCOS, seeing a sub specialist in Reproductive Medicine may be a good idea.